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Scan-Line Interleave

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Not to be confused with Scalable Link Interface.
Scan-Line Interleave
Voodoo2 with SLI cable at top left
Manufacturer3DFX
TypeMulti-GPU technology
Release date1998
ConnectivityRibbon cable
SuccessorScalable Link Interface

Scan-Line Interleave (SLI) is a multi-GPU method developed by 3DFX for linking two (or more) video cards or chips together to produce a single output. It is an application of parallel processing for computer graphics, meant to increase the processing power available for graphics.[1][2]

3DFX's SLI technology was first introduced in 1998 with the Voodoo2 line of graphics accelerators. The original Voodoo Graphics card and the VSA-100[3][4] were also SLI-capable. However, in the case of the former, it was only used in arcades[5][6], as well as professional applications via Primary Image's Piranha[7][8][9] card, intended for use with simulations using various[10][11] graphics APIs such as OpenGL, Glide, or Primary Image's own Tempest API. Support for the MultiGen OpenFlight Format in particular was specifically advertised.[7][10][11]

NVIDIA reintroduced the SLI acronym in 2004 as Scalable Link Interface. NVIDIA's SLI, compared to 3DFX's SLI, is modernized to use graphics cards interfaced over the PCI Express bus.[12]

Function

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A single PCI video card from Quantum3D that combines two Voodoo2 boards in SLI configuration

3DFX's SLI design was the first attempt, in the consumer PC market, at combining the rendering power of two video cards. The two 3DFX cards were connected by a small ribbon cable inside the PC. This cable shared graphics and synchronization information between the cards. Each 3DFX card rendered alternating horizontal lines of pixels composing a frame.[1][2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "3DFX Voodoo2". Next Generation. No. 37. Imagine Media. January 1998. pp. 88–92.
  2. ^ a b Sanchez, Andrew (January 1998). "Previews – 3DFX Voodoo2". boot. No. 17. pp. 86–87.
  3. ^ Lal Shimpi, Anand. 3DFX Voodoo5 5500, Anandtech, July 11, 2000.
  4. ^ 3DFX Interview with Peter Wicher, Hot Hardware, December 15, 2001.
  5. ^ Bennett, Phil. "Magic the Gathering: Armageddon - MAME preliminary driver". MAME GitHub repository. Archived from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  6. ^ Ondrejka, Cory (April 5, 2019). "CoryOndrejka on: The 3DFX Voodoo1". Hacker News. Archived from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  7. ^ a b "Primary Image Graphics Ltd - Piranha pc graphics image generator". web.archive.org. 1999-11-14. Retrieved 2025-02-11.
  8. ^ "Primary Image Ltd 3dfx products". www.thedodgegarage.com. Retrieved 2025-02-11.
  9. ^ "3dfx.eu - Primary Image Ltd". 3dfx.eu. Retrieved 2025-02-11.
  10. ^ a b "Primary Image Graphics Ltd - Tempest". web.archive.org. 1999-08-21. Retrieved 2025-02-11.
  11. ^ a b "Barracuda Product Data Sheet" (PDF). 1998.
  12. ^ "What is SLI?". www.geforce.com. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
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